MONROVIA – Liberia’s rails and port facilities would be of major significance for the export of Guinea’s iron ore mined from the Zogota iron ore deposits by Niron Metals Plc – a mining company in Guinea.
Permission to use the country’s facilities were granted through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Liberia and the mining company.
The Liberian Government and Niron Metals jointly announced on Thursday that the MOU was made possible following “joint vision of economic cooperation” expressed between Liberian President George Weah and his Guinean counterpart Alpha Condé earlier this month.
“This agreement opens a new chapter and supports the development of a world class mining and logistics project for the benefit of the people of the Mano River Union.
“The Government will now initiate discussions with the railway and port concessionaire, relating to third-party access rights. Thereafter we anticipate accelerated tripartite discussions to commence,” said the Chairman of the Liberian National Investment Commission, Molewuleh Gray.
Sir Mick Davis, Chairman of Niron said, “This MOU is an important milestone in our plans to develop the Zogota project. We intend to complete our feasibility study within six months and continue to work with relevant stakeholders to bring Zogota rapidly into production for the benefit of all.”
The MOU signed by Samuel A. Wlue Minister from the Ministry of Transport, Gesler E. Murray, Minister from the Ministry of Mines & Energy, Molewah B. Gray, Chairman of the National Investment Commission, Samuel D. Tweah, Minister from the Ministry of Finance & Development Planning with their signatures attested by Cllr. Frank Musa Dean Jr. the Minister of Justice/Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia.